MPCA 2020-21: Sorrento and Baden Powell win through to Provincial grand final
Langwarrin paceman Jayde Herrick announced his retirement from cricket after his side lost to Sorrento by a wicket in a dramatic MPCA semi-final.
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Sorrento is through to its third successive MPCA Provincial grand final after surviving a spectacular late batting collapse on Saturday.
The Sharks lost 5-5, to go from 4-145 to 9-150, chasing 153 for victory, in their semi-final showdown with Langwarrin at Lloyd Park.
A fiery burst from Langwarrin paceman Jayde Herrick, who grabbed three wickets in six balls, brought the game alive after Sorrento appeared to be coasting to victory.
The former Victorian speedster announced his retirement in the Langwarrin rooms after the game.
Langy skipper Travis Campbell also applied the pressure, taking two wickets in the 36th over.
But Sorrento’s Liam O’Connor, batting with a runner after straining his hamstring while fielding, held his nerve to hit successive twos and steer the Sharks, 9-154, home in the 38th over, with young James Rulach (0no) at the other end.
O’Connor finished unbeaten on seven and will now try to recover in time to play in the flag decider.
“Yeah, it was annoying,” Sorrento captain Bobby Wilson said of his side’s dramatic collapse.
“It was a hard watch. We got over the line but we made hard work of it. It got a bit confusing with the runner...but they bowled well. Herrick was always going to come in and bowl at the end.”
Wilson poured praise on his side’s opener Jedd Falck, who made 57 (6 boundaries) to fuel the run chase.
He said a 46-run fifth wicket partnership between Jake Wood (21) and Mitch Bench (21) that took the score from 4-99 to 4-145, was also crucial.
Earlier, Herrick made 48 at the top of the list to help Langwarrin to 8-152.
Sharks paceman Wood, with 2-23 off 8 overs, was the pick of Sorrento’s bowlers.
Herrick, 36, said injuries had taken a toll on his body and it was time to call it quits.
“Yesterday was my last game,” he said on Sunday morning.
“It was always going to be, whether it was yesterday or next week in the grand final, that was going to to be it for me so it’s time to call it.”
Sorrento will face Baden Powell in the grand final after the Braves upset ladder leaders Old Peninsula by 22 runs in the other semi-final.
It means the third and fourth sides on the ladder will meet in the flag decider.
Baden Powell won the toss and batted first, putting up 7-145, with coach Craig Entwistle leading from the front with a splendid 68 off 116 balls (5 fours, 1 six) at the top of the order.
Entwistle shared a 102-run second wicket partnership with gun bat Rhys Elmi, who made 46 off 85 balls (4 boundaries).
The pair took the score from 1-10 to 1-112.
Old Peninsula medium pacer Justin Grant captured 5-24 off seven overs to peg the score back.
In reply, Old Peninsula’s run chase never really clicked into gear.
The Pirates lost opener Dylan O’Malley (4) in the first over, caught by Elmi from the bowling of Zacc Klan.
Tom La Brooy (18) and Wade Pelzer (14) steadied things to take the score to 1-40, but both were dismissed within minutes of each other as the score became 3-40.
Old Peninsula’s hopes dipped further when Elmi had Grant caught behind for 24, with the score at 6-95.
That became 7-100 when John Forrest was bowled by Ryan Harrison for 10.
The Pirates’ innings — and their season — expired in the 39th over when Entwistle ran out Rhys Whitling (10) with a brilliant throw from the outfield to keeper Travis Kellerman, who whipped off the bails and then launched into a joyous celebration.
Baden Powell’s bowling unit was outstanding, as it has been all season. Klan (2-28 off 8), Taylor Harrison (2-18 off 7), Elmi (2-38 off 7.2), Ryan Harrison (2-11 off 8) and Entwistle (1-24 off 8) carried out their roles diligently.
While Baden Powell has enjoyed finals and premiership success in recent times — it won the 2018-19 Peninsula division flag — Saturday’s win marked a successful return to top grade finals action.
The Braves last contested Provincial finals 23 years ago, when they won the 1997-98 premiership, led by the brilliant Adam Landry (who won the Wedgwood medal and competition batting award that season) and the great John Harrison (who won the best player in the grand final award).
The grand final on Saturday will be played at Sorrento.
Baden Powell has performed well against Sorrento this season.
In round four, the Braves made 8-161 before rain washed out the game. And BP beat Sorrento in round 11, posting 8-149 and then rolling the Sharks for 112.
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